Hello there Hope, welcome to planDisney!
It sounds like you have a very merry trip coming up, how exciting! A trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth" would be my perfect holiday gift.
You absolutely can leave the theme parks and re-enter later that day. I highly recommend getting to the parks as early as possible, since the crowds tend to be lower first thing in the morning. A quick reminder that every
theme park ticket does need a corresponding
theme park reservation for admission into either
Disneyland Park or
Disney California Adventure Park.
The midday break to head back to the hotel is one of my favorite tips to share. Since we usually enter the parks first thing in the morning, we are ready for a short break in the afternoon when the crowds are at its peak. We love to head back to the hotel to rest our feet for a bit, refill our water bottles, and charge our mobile phones. After a short break, we are recharged and ready to head back for some fun at the parks in the evening! I highly recommend taking a magical boat ride on
"it's a small world" Holiday in Disneyland Park. The classic attraction has gotten a very festive makeover with some added holiday tunes!
I'm wishing you and your family a wonderful visit, Hope! If you have any other questions before or even after your trip,
please come back and ask!
Happy Holidays,
Melissa